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HMS Dragon, which has been despatched to protect Britain’s air bases in Cyprus amid the Iran war, has docked in the Mediterranean after suffering technical issues.
The Royal Navy type-45 destroyer will still be able to sail at short notice “if required”, the Ministry of Defence said.
“HMS Dragon is undertaking a routine logistics stop and a short maintenance period in the eastern Mediterranean, allowing the ship to take onboard provisions, optimise systems and conduct maintenance,” an MoJ spokesperson said.
“HMS Dragon will remain at a very high level of readiness during this period, able to sail at short notice if required.
“The UK continues to maintain a robust and layered defensive presence in the eastern Mediterranean, working in coordination with allies.
“This includes Typhoon and F-35 jets, Wildcat and Merlin helicopters, and advanced counter-drone and air defence systems.”
On Tuesday, the UK urged Donald Trump to step back from his threat to wipe out “a whole civilisation” as his deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz drew closer.
The US president has given Tehran until 1am on Wednesday UK time to end its blockade of the strait or face obliteration.
Downing Street again said the UK’s focus was on “de-escalation” and a “negotiated settlement” for the region, but Mr Trump ratcheted up his rhetoric and the US-Israeli bombing campaign continued.
Writing on his Truth Social platform he said: “A whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again.
“I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will.”
Donald Trump has threatened to bomb Iran ‘back to the Stone Ages’ if it does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz (AP)
But Mr Trump, who has previously extended his deadline for action, said the “complete and total regime change” in Iran had resulted in a situation where “different, smarter, and less radicalised minds prevail”.
He said: “Maybe something revolutionarily wonderful can happen, WHO KNOWS? We will find out tonight, one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the World.”
Mr Trump has said the US will destroy Iran’s bridges and power stations, saying he was “not at all” concerned that attacks on civilian infrastructure could constitute a war crime.
Asked whether the UK believed such attacks would breach international law, the prime minister’s official spokesperson said: “I’m not going to comment on [giving] a running commentary on our allies’ operations.”
The UK has granted permission for the US to use British military bases to carry out limited defensive operations, only targeting Iran’s missile sites and facilities being used to target shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil and gas route.
Asked whether RAF bases could be used by the US to target Iran’s civilian infrastructure, the spokesman said: “Our position has not changed.”
The spokesperson said Sir Keir Starmer had been clear “this isn’t our war” and “our position is very much focused on de-escalation”.